For many children it’s time to head back to school. Since summer is often a busy time for homebuyers, some children may be starting the year in a new school district. According to a recent survey from Realtor.com, school district is a big factor when buying a home. This really should come as no surprise, since education is always top of mind for parents of school-aged children.
In fact, according to the survey, 73% of homebuyers noted that schools were important when searching for a new home. The survey findings further identified this as an important factor for young buyers with 86% of 18-34 year olds and 84% of 35-54 year olds indicating school district as a key factor in their home search.
What is more surprising is the fact that 78% of those surveyed would be willing to give up “must-have” home features in favor of a good school district. We’ve highlighted those features in this chart, and they include a garage, large backyard, updated kitchen, number of bedrooms and outdoor living area.
And, what do buyers consider important when it comes to living in a good school district. Based on responses to the Realtor.com survey, key attributes of a good school include test scores (59%), accelerated programs (53%), arts and music (49%), diversity (43%), and before- and after-school programs (41%).
These findings prove that above everything, quality of education tops the must-have list for parents and parents-to-be. If you are searching for a home and school district matters, be sure to discuss this point with your real estate agent. Often local agents are a wonderful resource for information on the area, including schools.
